Location of The Mouth of The Nile
The Nile River is known as the ‘longest river in the world’. It’s length measures 6695km from the source of its origin to its delta at the Mediterranean Sea. Its remains the same length throughout its length and its source lies in the Great Lakes regions of east central Africa. Each of the two major tributaries, the White Nile in Sudan and the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, come together at Khartoum, Sudan and form the main tributary of the Nile River. From Khartoum, the combined river runs northward through Egypt until it runs into the Mediterranean Sea. The mouth of the Nile is the locus where the main branch of the Nile River meets the Mediterranean Sea and it is located in the country of Egypt.
Significance of the Nile as a Major Source of Freshwater in Egypt
The Nile River is the major freshwater resource for Egypt. It is a lifeline for the nation, providing sustenance for crops, water for drinking, bathing and doing the laundry, and an avenue for transport from one place to another. Being a major source of freshwater, the Nile sustains Egypt’s agricultural production alleviating poverty, increases economic growth and provides the country with an edge in terms of sustenance and development.
Environmental Implication at the Mouth of the Nile
The combination of the reduced flow of water, increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous due to human activities and the salt water flowing from the Mediterranean Sea is causing degradation at the mouth of the Nile. This is threatening the ecology of the region as a whole, particularly the faunal and floral species inhabiting the region. The destruction of the mangrove forests located of the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is an example of this process.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Mouth of the Nile
Climate change is expected to have a devastating impact on the water resources of the Nile including its mouth. University of Washington’s Caitlyn o’Reilly, a Masters in Geography, explains that climate change is likely to affect the long-term water availability of the main tributary of the Nile, the Blue Nile, as its source lies high up in the plateau region of the Ethiopian highland where weather fluctuations is likely to be more pronounced. This is expected to reduce the amount of water which eventually flows off the river into the delta and further downstream to the mouth of the Nile.
Efforts to Regulate The Discharge of Pollutants Into the Nile Delta
Due to the threat of pollution caused by human activities, several organizations have sought to impose regulation on the discharge of pollutants into the Nile. The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising of 10 countries which was put in place to facilitate cooperation on the basin’s development and management of the Nile River. The goal of this initiative is to ensure the equitable and sustainable use of the Nile waters and to ensure that all states in the region benefit from the resources of the Nile.
Plans by the Governments of Ethiopia and Egypt to Built a New Dam on the Blue Nile
The Governments of Ethiopia and Egypt are currently discussing plans to build a new dam on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River. The dam, if built, would be the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world and would provide the two countries with an ample source of power and electricity. Experts’ insight are yet divided on the issue in terms of the effect it will have on the flow of the Nile and the availability of freshwater particularly downstream of the dam.
Nile’s Role in Facilitating Trade and Tourism in Egypt
The Nile has historically been the most important source of transportation and trade for many of the nations situated along its length. This includes Egypt where the Nile is used as a waterway to move goods from one point to another. The Nile has also been a major facilitator of tourism with cruise vessels, tour boats, and dhows traversing the length of the river and passing by famous historical sites such as the Valley of The Kings and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Efforts Aimed at Protecting The Mouth of The Nile Delta
African Development Bank and World Bank have coordinated efforts to protect the fragile delta of the Nile from further degradation. The two banks provide funds to local research centers who are tasked with studying the resources of the Nile and how they interact and function. In addition, various organizations have risen to protect the flora and fauna of the region and to fight against activities such as unlawful fishing.
History of the Conflict over allocation of Nile River Resources
The Nile is seen as a resource which needs to be shared among all nations along its river, however since its usage is a source of conflict between countries who are vying for control over the river. This has been a problem since the colonial days, which has inspired various treaties in the passing, such as the Nile Waters Agreement of 1959, which split the Nile River water among the countries of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia and the Nile Waters Agreement of 1929 which mainly included Egypt and Sudan.
Effect of Dams and Diversion Projects on the Flow of the Nile River
Anthropogenic activities such as the building of dams and irrigation centers along the length of the Nile are reducing the speed of the river’s flow and its water levels. This is a major cause for concern for the communities located in the countries along the lengths of the river, as it is threatening their livelihoods. To combat this problem, a basin-wide plan was proposed by the Nile Basin Initiative to promote coordinated efforts among its tributary nations in order to share the resources of the river equitably.
Rate of Water Discharge at the Mouth of the Nile
The rate of water discharge at the mouth of the Nile during its annual inundation season ranges between 10,000 to 20,000 cubic metres per second and this is down from what it was a few decades ago where it was estimated to be around 25,000 cubic metres per second. Experts believe this decrease in the Nile’s current is due to the building of upstream dams and irrigation projects, which have impeded the flow of the Nile and decreased the rate of water discharge at its mouth.
Impact of Human Activity on the Delta at the Mouth of the Nile
It is clear that human activities are having a major impact on the delta at the mouth of the Nile. From the building of irrigation projects to the discharge of pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorous into the river, human activities are slowly destroying the delicate ecosystem inhabiting the area. In addition, the overfishing of the river’s fauna is having a major detrimental effect on the fish species of the river’s delta.
Uses of the Mediterranean at The Mouth of The Nile
The Mediterranean Sea located at the mouth of the Nile is being used for fishing, trade, transportation and recreation. Fishing boats dot the shoreline, trawling for fish to the delight of local fisherman. In addition, the Delta is also used as a major port for the import and export of goods, with ships plying the waters of the Mediterranean transporting goods from Egypt to the rest of the world. In addition, with its many natural attractions, the Nile Delta has become a popular tourist hotspot.
Development Projects Aimed at Protecting The Nile Delta
The Egyptian government along with several international organisations are planning a number of projects which are aimed at protecting the Nile Delta and the resources contained in it. This includes projects aimed at creating a shoreline protection barrier, coastal embankment works, mangrove rehabilitation, wetland reclamation and the construction of desalination plants. If these projects come to fruition, it is hoped that they will help to mitigate the negative impacts that the environment is currently facing at the mouth of the Nile.
